Gov’t to adopt hybrid selection process for 3rd telco

The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) has finalized the guidelines on the selection of a new major telco player that will be capable of competing with industry giants PLDT and Globe.

DICT Acting Secretary Eliseo Rio described the selection process as ?hybrid?, giving more importance to the committed level of service and financial capacity.

The selection of the third telco will based on nationwide coverage and annual investment (each with a weight of 40 percent) over a five year period and broadband speed (20 percent).

Prospective bidders must have a Congressional franchise to operate telco services and a net worth of at least P10 billion.

They should not also be a related party to any telecom group and must have no outstanding liabilities.